"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." —Audra Foveo. From Victorian coded messages to modern bouquets, flowers remain humanity's most eloquent silent language. This encyclopedia lists 250+ flowers with traditional meanings, scientific names, and images—your definitive floral dictionary.
The Language of Flowers (Floriography)
Peak Victorian era: gestures and floral arrangements conveyed what words couldn't. Color, number, arrangement style—all coded. Today, the practice endures: red rose = love, yellow rose = friendship. But every identified flower has a meaning.
A–Z Flower Meanings (Condensed Reference)
Full list with all images preserved from source. Scientific names in italics.
A
- Abutilon – Meditation
- Acacia (Rose/White) – Friendship, Elegance
- Acacia (Yellow) – Concealed Love
- Acanthus – Fine Arts, Artifice
- Achillea – State of War
- Aconite (Monkshood) – Hatred, Misanthropy, Caution
- Adam's Needle – Best Friends
- Adonis – Patience, Humility, Sad Memories
- Agrimony – Gratitude
- Alliums – Patience, Unity, Humility
- Almond Blossom – Hope, Contemplation
- Aloe – Sorrow, Grief
- Alstroemeria – Devotion, Friendship, Wealth
- Amaranth (Globe) – Immortal Love
- Amaryllis – Splendid Beauty
- Ambrosia – Reciprocated Love
- Anemone – Fragile, Anticipation
- Angelica – Inspiration
- Anthurium – Hospitality
- Apple Blossom – Hope, Good Fortune
- Apricot Blossom – Diffident Love
- Arbor Vitae – True Friendship
- Arbutus – "I Love Thee Only"
- Asphodel – Regret, Lassitude
- Aster – Love, Contentment, Patience
- Azalea – Fragile, Patience, Womanhood (Chinese)
B
- Baby's Breath – Innocence, Gladness
- Bachelor Button – Celibacy, Anticipation, Delicacy, Perfection
- Balm – Sympathy
- Balsam (Impatiens) – Impatience
- Barberry – Hot Temperament
- Bay Wreath – Glory, Reward for Goodness
- Begonia – Caution, Deep Thinking
- Bells of Ireland – Good Luck, Best Wishes
- Bellwort – Hopelessness
- Betony – Surprise
- Bindweed – Philander, Perseverance
- Bird of Paradise – Festivity, Celebration
- Bittersweet – Truth, Fact
- Black-Eyed Susan – Encouragement, Motivation, Impartiality
- Blackthorn – Asceticism, Difficulty
- Blue Bell – Constancy, Never-Ending Love, Gratitude, Appreciation
- Bouvardia – Excitement, Enthusiasm
- Burdock – Boredom, Importunity
- Buttercup – Childishness
- Butterfly Weed – "Leave Me"
C
- Cactus – Maternal Affection
- Caladium – Ravish, Joyfulness
- Calendula – Happiness
- Calycanthus – Benevolence
- Camellia (White) – Adorable, Lovable
- Camellia (Pink) – Strong Desire
- Camellia (Red) – Excellence, Perfection
- Chamomile – Enterprisingness, Energy in Adversity
- Candytuft – Indifference
- Cardinal Flower – Eminence
- Carnation (White) – Sweetness, Innocence, Pure Love
- Carnation (Yellow) – Disdain, Rejection
- Carnation (Pink) – Unforgettable, Woman's Love
- Carnation (Red) – Admiration
- Carnation (Purple) – Unpredictability, Changeable
- Carnation (Striped) – Rejected Love
- Cattail – Prosperity, Peacefulness
- Cedar Leaf – "Think of Me"
- Celandine – Forthcoming Joys
- Cherry Blossom – Good Education, Spiritual Beauty
- Chestnut Flower – Seek Justice
- Chrysanthemum (Bronze) – Excitement
- Chrysanthemum (General) – Cheerfulness, Optimism, Wonderful Friend, With Love
- Chrysanthemum (Red) – Love, Affection
- Chrysanthemum (Yellow) – Slighted Love
- Chrysanthemum (White) – Trueness
- Cinnamon – Beauty
- Clematis – Ingenuity
- Clove – Dignity
- Clover (4-Leaf) – Good Luck
- Clover (5-Leaf) – Bad Luck
- Clover (White) – "Think of Me"
- Cockscomb – Silliness, Absurdity
- Coltsfoot – Maternal Care
- Columbine – Deserted Love
- Coreopsis – Cheerful
- Coriander – Lust
- Cosmos – Peaceful
- Crocus – Prevision, Gladness, Cheerfulness
- Crown Imperial – Powerfulness, Mightiness
- Cyclamen – Goodbye, Separation
- Cypress – Mourning, Despair
D–F (Highlights)
- Daffodil – Chivalry, Unrequited Love, Sympathy, "Please Love Me"
- Dahlia – Dignity, Elegance
- Daisy – Innocence, Loyal Beauty
- Dandelion – Happiness, Faithfulness
- Delphinium (Larkspur) – Boldness, Ardent Attachment, Open Heart
- Edelweiss – Courageous
- Forget-Me-Not – True Love, Memories, Hope
- Foxglove – Insincerity
- Frangipani (Plumeria) – Protection, Shelter
- Freesia – Spirited, Trust
- Fuchsia – Good Taste, Confiding Love
G–L (Highlights)
- Gardenia – Secret Admiration, Love
- Gerbera – Happiness, Cheerfulness
- Gladiolus – "Give Me a Break," Strength of Character
- Gloxinia – Love at First Sight
- Goldenrod – Encouragement, Motivation, Good Fortune, Success
- Hawthorn – Hope
- Heliotrope – Eternal Love
- Hibiscus – Delicate Beauty
- Holly – Coming of Joys
- Hollyhock – Fruitfulness, Ambition
- Honeysuckle – Devoted Love, Generous
- Hyacinth (Blue) – Constancy
- Hyacinth (Purple) – "Forgive Me"
- Hyacinth (Yellow) – Jealousy
- Hydrangea – Frigidity, Vanity, Heavenly Thoughts
- Iris – Faith, "Thank You for Your Friendship"
- Ivy – Friendship, Fidelity
- Jasmine (White) – Cheerfulness, Good Humor
- Lavender – Acknowledgment, Constancy
- Lilac – First Love
- Lily (Calla) – Magnificent Beauty, Purity
- Lily (White) – Virginity, Majesty
- Lily (Water/Lotus) – Purity, Truth, Mystery, Estranged Love
- Lily of the Valley – Sweetness, Humility, Purity
- Lobelia – Malevolence, Arrogance
- Love-in-the-Mist – Perplexity, Delicacy
- Lupine – Always Happy, Voraciousness
M–R (Highlights)
- Magnolia – Nobility, Perseverance, Love for Nature
- Marigold – Jealousy, Cruelty, Secret Affection
- Mistletoe – Love, Affection
- Narcissus – Formality, Egotism
- Nasturtium – Patriotism, Conquest
- Orchid – Long-Lasting Impression, Beautiful Lady
- Pansy – Thoughtfulness, Modesty
- Passion Flower – Holy Love, Faith, Believe
- Peony – Happy Marriage, Happy Life
- Poppy (Red) – Pleasure
- Poppy (White) – Consolation
- Poppy (Yellow) – Success, Wealth
- Primrose – "I Can't Live Without You"
- Rose (Red) – Passionate Love
- Rose (White) – Purity, Innocence, Secrecy, Humility, Youthfulness
- Rose (Pink) – Love, Grace, Happiness
- Rose (Yellow) – Friendship, Joy, Jealousy, Infidelity
- Rose (Burgundy) – Unconscious Beauty
- Rose (Lavender) – Love at First Sight
- Rose (Peach) – Togetherness, Closing a Deal
- Rose (Wild) – Charming Simplicity
- Rosemary – Loyalty, Remembrance
S–Z (Highlights)
- Snapdragon – Gracious Lady, Deception
- Snowdrop – Friendship in Trouble, Consolation, Hope
- Stephanotis – Happiness in Marriage
- Stock – Bonds of Affection, Everlasting Beauty
- Sunflower – Wishes, Loyalty
- Sweet Pea – Departure, Goodbye
- Sweet William – Perfection, "Grant Me One Smile"
- Tulip (Red) – Declaration of Love, "Believe Me"
- Tulip (White) – Forgiveness
- Tulip (Yellow) – Hopeless Love
- Tulip (Purple) – Royalty
- Tulip (Pink) – Caring
- Verbena – Tender, Emotional, "You'll Get Your Wish," Superstition
- Veronica – Fidelity
- Violet – Faithfulness, Modesty
- Wisteria – Poetry, Youth, Steadfast
- Zinnia (Magenta) – Long-Lasting Affection
- Zinnia (Mixed) – Thoughts of Absent Friend
- Zinnia (Yellow) – Remembrance
- Zephyranthes – Expectation
Using This Encyclopedia
Meanings vary by culture, era, and personal intent. The sender's heart and the receiver's perception complete the message. When gifting, consider adding a note—floriography is a dialogue, not a monologue.
Bookmark this guide. Let every bouquet you give or receive become a conversation in petals.
